Just because the Twins didn't want to commit to their four relievers -- Crain, Fuentes, Guerrier and Rauch -- who signed free-agent deals that will bring them $40 million over the next several years doesn't mean the team had to create the current mess.

If the Twins had chosen as well as some other teams, one of this season's ongoing themes would not be the late-game bullpen meltdowns.

And, yes, it could have been done on the cheap.

Here are seven relievers who would have been better than Dusty Hughes (2.13 WHIP/9.95 ERA), Jim Hoey (2.51 WHIP/10.50 WHIP) and the young guys that some people think will make the transition from the farm system to the majors and, somehow, not be found wanting. That group would include Alex Burnett (1.91 WHIP/6.75 ERA) and Jose Mijares (2.03 WHIP/5.84 ERA). I won't even mention Jeff Manship (2.70 WHIP/8.10 ERA in the five games before he got sent back to Rochester).

Well, I guess I did.

*On the high end, but still less than any of the departed four signed for, Tampa Bay took a chance on journeyman Kyle Farnsworth and has been rewarded with 10 saves in 22 appearances and a 0.83 WHIP. In addition to his 1.50 ERA, Farnsworth has only walked one batter in 18 innings. He was signed for $3.25 million.

*In the bargain category, the New York Mets found Taylor Buchholz for $600,000 and the Red Sox signed Alfredo Aceves for $650.000. Buchholz has a 3.12 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and a strikeout per inning; Aceves, who got knocked around Tuesday night by the White Sox, has a 3.51 ERA and 1.23 WHIP -- and has been versatile enough to fill in and start three games.

*Tampa Bay spent $950,000 on another veteran, Joel Peralta, who had eight holds, a 0.94 WHIP and 3.25 ERA in 25 appearances.

*The Red Sox also signed Matt Albers, who had pitched for Baltimore, for $875,000. He's averaged more than a strikeout per inning and has a 1.23 WHIP and 3.54 ERA.

*Washington spent $1.35 million to sign Todd Coffey, who pitched for the Brewers last season. He's averaged a strikeout per inning, has an 0.86 WHIP and a 1.71 ERA.

*Lefty George Sherill ($1.2 million) has 19 strikeouts in 14 innings for Atlanta with a 1.21 WHIP and 2.57 ERA.

I know that some of these numbers aren't likely to hold up, but the grim reality is that the bullpen is an area where the Twins made bad choice after bad choice when there were sound options that wouldn't have increased the cost of a Target Field root beer.